Rusting due to dew/humidity?

[Rosohatica]

Hi, I have 1986. Kubota B1402. I bought it 3 years ago and it had original paint and zero rust. In only 3 years I keep noticing more and more rust showing up. I keep it in a wooden shed I built for it. I have a tin 100% waterproof tin roof which has layer of felt underneath to reduce the condensation. However I do notice droplets of condensate on the roof underneath and something like dewdrops on the tractor too. Its very high humidity area with trees all around and morning dew doesn`t help either. I attached some photos of wheels and front cover where you can see the rust starting. And some images of the shed too. As you can see, it has wide spaces between the boards. On one hand it helps to keep it ventilated, and on the other hand it lets the dew in. I am in the process of buying a (almost) new tractor and would hate this rust problem to happen with it too. What do you think would help the best?:
1. putting Styrofoam insulation on the sides and roof of the shed?
OR
2. putting this kind of cover over the tractor ?
https://www.capa-shop.de/capa-protective-cover-for-tractors/?lang=en
OR
3. buying storage container and putting the tractor inside of it

https://www.portablespace.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/620-sale-20ft-std-one-trip-container-ral5010-correct-1-960x640.jpg

With the 3rd option I am afraid of lack of ventilation and heat inside during the summer.
What is your opinion please, how to prevent this kind of rust?

 

[Jim L.]

In my experience with high humidity environments covers and sheds do not provide perfect protection.

I would recommend something like WD-40 Corrosion Protection Inhibitor. The best working vapor barrier will be in contact with the metal parts. Spraying or brushing with a corrosion inhibitor is an easy way to do the job.

 

[Elliott in GA]

You can remove the light rust and prevent future rust with The Must For Rust. It is a mild acid product that leaves a protective film. Spray it and leave it - might require more than one application. It is cheap and sold many places.

A painted surface will not rust (presuming proper prep and painting), unless the paint is compromised. You can use a rust inhibitor on a compromised surface to prevent/delay rust, but it will require periodic reapplication. I have always been a fan of Corrosion-X for preventing rust on things that are used in salt water. There are some more effective products, but their coating is a pain to deal with (the item is coated with a waxy goo).

 

[fried1765]

You can remove the light rust and prevent future rust with The Must For Rust. It is a mild acid product that leaves a protective film. Spray it and leave it - might require more than one application. It is cheap and sold many places.

A painted surface will not rust (presuming proper prep and painting), unless the paint is compromised. You can use a rust inhibitor on a compromised surface to prevent/delay rust, but it will require periodic reapplication. I have always been a fan of Corrosion-X for preventing rust on things that are used in salt water. There are some more effective products, but their coating is a pain to deal with (the item is coated with a waxy goo).

I rather doubt that "Must For Rust" is available in Croatia,..... probably not Corrosion-X either.
Phosphoric acid will work for rust clean up,.... and then repaint.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Your shed is too 'tight'. It needs LOTS of air flow to prevent condensation. If inside and outside are same temp and some air moves through the shed , you won't get condensation.
I had 4 tractors, each in their own 9 by 12 by 7 shed, solid side wall, tin roof, OPEN front and back(NO doors),closed soffits. NONE of the tractors got rusty and we've had a LOT of very humid days over the past 10 years.

 

[Russell King]

Even a very open shed will still allow condensation to form on your tractor due to the fact your tractor will get cool at night and not warm up as quickly as the air around it. You see this when dew forms on cars sitting out in the open.

If your shed has a dirt floor under the board floor then ground moisture will also be problematic in the shed.

You can try to keep rust at bay with waxes applied to the surface of the tractor and that will probably be the best plan but rust will eventually start and years from now it will win the war against your efforts.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

I have a tin 100% waterproof tin roof which has layer of felt underneath to reduce the condensation.

Great way to keep lots of moisture in that shed. That's like putting a sponge in there.

 

[Mmanders6]

I've had good luck with lanolin based products like fluid-film. You definitely need air flow/ventilation to keep the humidity down. Putting a cover over the equipment often makes it worse in my experience.

 

[mcmxi]

Even a very open shed will still allow condensation to form on your tractor due to the fact your tractor will get cool at night and not warm up as quickly as the air around it. You see this when dew forms on cars sitting out in the open.

If you have two vehicles parked next to each other, one exposed to the sky, the other under a lean-to, you will see very different results in terms of condensation (dew) since one is exposed to deep space and the other isn't. Anything exposed to the sky will cool down more than something at the same air temperature but shielded from the sky due to radiation. Clouds work in a similar manner to a lean-to. This is why "space blankets" are effective despite having no R value.

Mix diesel and oil in a 1:1 ratio and spray the tractor down with the mixture. You control corrosion using one or more approaches. Reduce humidity, coat the substrate, remove the electrolyte, control the pH of the electrolyte, add galvanic protection in the form of an impressed current, add sacrificial anodes and so on.

 

[Rosohatica]

Great way to keep lots of moisture in that shed. That's like putting a sponge in there.

Hm, the seller said its better than bare metal because it will sweat less.

 

[Rosohatica]

If you have two vehicles parked next to each other, one exposed to the sky, the other under a lean-to, you will see very different results in terms of condensation (dew) since one is exposed to deep space and the other isn't. Anything exposed to the sky will cool down more than something at the same air temperature but shielded from the sky due to radiation. Clouds work in a similar manner to a lean-to. This is why "space blankets" are effective despite having no R value.

Mix diesel and oil in a 1:1 ratio and spray the tractor down with the mixture. You control corrosion using one or more approaches. Reduce humidity, coat the substrate, remove the electrolyte, control the pH of the electrolyte, add galvanic protection in the form of an impressed current, add sacrificial anodes and so on.

Spray only outside parts I assume? Not around engine parts since it would burn?

 

[Rosohatica]

Your shed is too 'tight'. It needs LOTS of air flow to prevent condensation. If inside and outside are same temp and some air moves through the shed , you won't get condensation.
I had 4 tractors, each in their own 9 by 12 by 7 shed, solid side wall, tin roof, OPEN front and back(NO doors),closed soffits. NONE of the tractors got rusty and we've had a LOT of very humid days over the past 10 years.

This is interesting. One of my neighbors confirmed having simillar case

 

[Rosohatica]

I rather doubt that "Must For Rust" is available in Croatia,..... probably not Corrosion-X either.
Phosphoric acid will work for rust clean up,.... and then repaint.

I havent seen these products, but I could probably get them shipped.

 

[fried1765]

I havent seen these products, but I could probably get them shipped.

Phosphoric Acid is sold under the brand name of OSPHO in the USA.
It is about $35 per US gallon, and smaller quantities are also available.
A gallon will cover many square meters, and is a very effective primer for rusted steel.
Phosphoric Acid has an indefinite shelf life.
It is normally sold in hardware stores, and marine supply stores.
I highly recommend it!

 

[Rosohatica]

But this stuff is only for rusted spots right? To prevent spreading of the rust. Not for a new tractor for general prevention, right?

Phosphoric Acid is sold under the brand name of OSPHO in the USA.
It is about $35 per US gallon, and smaller quantities are also available.
A gallon will cover many square meters, and is a very effective primer for rusted steel.
Phosphoric Acid has an indefinite shelf life.
It is normally sold in hardware stores, and marine supply stores.
I highly recommend it!

 

[fried1765]

But this stuff is only for rusted spots right? To prevent spreading of the rust. Not for a new tractor for general prevention, right?

YES!
For rusted spots ONLY!
Perhaps I misunderstood your request.

 

[Rosohatica]

Thanks. The thing is that I have an old B1402 which started rusting and am getting a new L3200 so I need to take care od both.

 

[mcmxi]

Thanks. The thing is that I have an old B1402 which started rusting and am getting a new L3200 so I need to take care od both.

Seriously, one of the easiest and cheapest ways to limit corrosion is to spray your equipment down with a 50/50 mix of engine oil and diesel. You can buy a pump sprayer for next to nothing that will almost atomize the stuff. The oil/diesel mix will displace electrolyte and provide a barrier against things that cause corrosion. The downside is that some might be offended at the idea of diesel and oil dripping on the ground.

The US military has used a product called Carwell for years to reduce corrosion, along with rinse stations for aircraft and other equipment. Back in 2010 the Army had something like 35% of their equipment unusable due to corrosion which greatly affected their state of readiness. Transporting equipment on open decks across the ocean is a nightmare but it's regularly done.

 

[Rosohatica]

Seriously, one of the easiest and cheapest ways to limit corrosion is to spray your equipment down with a 50/50 mix of engine oil and diesel. You can buy a pump sprayer for next to nothing that will almost atomize the stuff. The oil/diesel mix will displace electrolyte and provide a barrier against things that cause corrosion. The downside is that some might be offended at the idea of diesel and oil dripping on the ground.

The US military has used a product called Carwell for years to reduce corrosion, along with rinse stations for aircraft and other equipment. Back in 2010 the Army had something like 35% of their equipment unusable due to corrosion which greatly affected their state of readiness. Transporting equipment on open decks across the ocean is a nightmare but it's regularly done.

So you are saying to spray entire tractor regardless rusted or not, even a new one, as a measure of prevention?

 

[mcmxi]

So you are saying to spray entire tractor regardless rusted or not, even a new one, as a measure of prevention?

If my tractors were in an environment where corrosion was a concern then yes, I'd spray any part that is likely to corrode. The exterior surfaces are easy to keep clean and monitor. It's all of the inaccessible or hard to see/reach places where corrosion can get ahead of you.

I live in a chloride free, relatively dry climate so corrosion isn't a big issue, but I lived in Hawaii for many years where it was a huge issue.